Pleat blames injuries for Spurs slide

Tottenham boss David Pleat admits he is alarmed by the disastrous run of form which has sucked Spurs into the Barclaycard Premiership relegation battle – and blames a mounting injury list for the crisis.

The 2-0 mauling by Portsmouth yesterday has seen Spurs slip to four defeats in five matches, plunging them to fourth from bottom in the table with a tricky clash against Charlton awaiting them at White Hart Lane tomorrow.